3918 M?w?m Amm Reem?: HEW WEE Lake George STATE OF npmn?rum?r'r. Park Report prepared by Lake George Park Commission Director of Law Enforcement Lt. Joe Johns Front Cover Photo by Sgt. Shane Ross Table of Contents I. The Mission of the Marine Patrol Introduction, Officer Training and Credentials, Patrol Operations and Priorities, Equipment Upgrades II. Law Enforcement and Public Safety Log Bay Day, Marine Patrol Activity Statistics, Civil Enforcement Program, Sanitary, Invasive Species III. Public Assists and Education Boater Education, Boater Safety, Recovered Property IV. Bi-Annual Boat Count V. Real Stories from the Marine Patrol VI. Patrol Awards VII. Acknowledgements 2018 Patrol Roster Contacting the Patrol 1 I. The Mission of the Marine Patrol Introduction Patrolling the waters of Lake George since 1962, the Lake George Park Commission’s Marine Patrol successfully completed 56 years of continuous service in 2018. Through the years, the Marine Patrol has built up a solid record of service dedicated to the protection of Lake George and its users. The primary mission of the Marine Patrol is to promote the safe and enjoyable use of Lake George. The Marine Patrol accomplishes this primarily by protecting and educating the public. The Patrol also plays a key role in protecting the valuable natural resource of Lake George. The Marine Patrol provides a wide array of services to the boating public. These include assisting stranded boaters, emergency response and first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, removal of hazards, recovery of lost property and boater safety training. Additionally, the Marine Patrol enforces the New York State Navigation Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Lake George Park Commission Rules and Regulations, and all other laws. The Patrol has a very large and diverse area to cover. At 32 miles long, Lake George presents these officers with over 50 square miles of patrol area, including 176 miles of shoreline and 245 islands. Lake George exists within many localities; three counties (Warren, Washington, and Essex), eight townships (Lake George, Bolton, Hague, Ticonderoga, Putnam, Dresden, Fort Ann, and Queensbury) and one village (Lake George) all of which touch the lake and have a vested interest in it. The enforcement programs of the Commission are coordinated by the Director of Law Enforcement, a marine patrol lieutenant. This position allows the Director of Law Enforcement the opportunity to work closely with the patrol on a daily basis while maintaining consistent enforcement of the Commission’s regulations throughout the Lake George Basin. Training This year’s in-service training focused on officer safety and involved firearms and baton training. Above, officers qualify at the range. 2 Patrol Operations The Patrol season began on April 30th and ran through October 31st. Beginning on June 28th, the Marine Patrol operated at full strength, seven days a week until Labor Day. During the summer season six to seven patrol vessels were on duty Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A total of 5991 hrs. were logged by officers in 2018. Pictured is the 2018 24’ Whaler on loan from NYS Parks Equipment Upgrades In 2018, the Patrol received a 2018 24’ twin engine Boston Whaler from NYS Parks. This vessel is used for daily patrol through the preseason, regular season and post season. This vessel came fully equipped with a police package including radar for nighttime operations. The Patrol would like to thank NYS Parks for their continued support of the LGPC Marine Patrol. The Patrol also obtained a 2007 Suburban from NYS Office of General Services for use as a transport vehicle for individuals taken into custody for such things as BWI. It is also used to transport officers and equipment for training. II. Law Enforcement and Public Safety The Lake George Park Commission continued to work on public safety this year. The Patrol again partnered with the local marinas to improve boater safety. The marinas continue to show the rental boat safety video to all customers who rent boats. Officers also visited several 3 marinas to speak to the dock hands about the importance of their job. Officers talked about the importance of completing safety checklists prior to rental boats leaving the dock and how the education they provide to their customers may be the only vessel training the operator receives. Partnership with Warren County for an Additional Night Boat In the spring of 2017, Sheriff York from Warren County proposed pairing one of his officers, Officer Jeff Webster, with a Commission Officer to man an additional night boat on Friday through Sunday nights throughout the summer. This year Officer Webster worked with Commission Officers Thursday through Sunday nights. The continued partnership with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department has helped the patrol to cover more of the lake in the evening and night hours providing faster response times to calls and improved public safety. Log Bay Day Log Bay Day 2018 was much the same as Log Bay Day 2017. The Bay was blocked off during the day to all boaters. NYS Forest Rangers, State Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Department patrolled the land along the shore watching for issues inland. There were no issues in the bay or on land for the second year in a row. In the late afternoon, Commission Officers along with Officers from the Warren and Washington County Sheriff’s Departments, NYSDEC and NYS Park Police set up BWI checkpoints in three sections of the lake. Results: About 200 vessels were stopped and checked. No tickets or BWIs were issued! Log Bay Day 2018- Shelving Rock Bay was again completely deserted 4 Vessel Sanitary Inspections The Commission’s regulations prohibit the launching and operating of any vessel on Lake George which is not permanently sealed to prevent the discharge of wastewater into the lake. This regulation is unique to Lake George and many boaters that come here for the first time are unaware of this requirement. The Marine Patrol makes every effort to educate the public about this important regulation. Every year the Marine Patrol with the assistance of the Vessel Inspection Technicians at the launches perform voluntary sanitary inspections and inform boaters on how best to comply with this regulation. Vessels in compliance with the law are given a complimentary decal to display on their vessel. In 2018, 307 sanitary inspections were completed. Patrol keeps boat traffic away from two deer swimming across the lake near Huletts Landing 5 2018 Marine Patrol Officer Activity Statistics PUBLIC ASSISTANCE Courtesy Gas Vessel Tows EMS/First Aid/Rescue Calls Searches Fires Reported Drowning All Other Boater Assists Assists to Other Agencies 10 40 30 14 5 1 147 68 Law Enforcement Arrests/Citations-Navigation Law Arrests/Citations-All Other 76 65 PWC Citations BWI Arrests (includes TOTs) Vessel Noise Citations Total Arrests/Citations Complaints Addressed Accidents Investigated Unusual Incident Reports Regattas Patrolled Warnings Issued Vessel Noise Tests 26 43 7 0 141 274 20 18 18 557 5 SANITARY INSPECTIONS Total Sanitary Inspections 307 RECOVERED PROPERTY Total Property Value $39,220 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES AIS Enforcement Hours AIS Support Hours AIS Contacts at Boat Launch Sites AIS Contacts on Water 504 48 Total Patrol Hours 5991 Vessel Speed Citations (includes “No Wake” zones) PATROL HOURS 6 287 22 Marine Patrol Appearance Ticket Breakdown – 4 Year Trend VIOLATIONS 2018 2017 2016 2015 Total Vessel PWC Total Vessel PWC Total Vessel PWC Total Vessel PWC No Lake User Fee 14 8 6 14 12 2 18 17 1 28 21 7 Unregistered Vessel 8 7 1 13 13 0 11 11 0 18 16 2 Lifejacket Violation 18 17 1 16 15 1 23 22 1 24 23 1 Other Equipment Violations 6 6 0 8 8 0 6 6 0 5 5 0 Vessel Noise Violations 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 3 3 0 Speed - Restricted Limit 22 10 12 16 11 5 18 5 13 17 8 9 Exceed Speed Limit 4 4 0 6 3 3 4 1 3 2 0 2 13 0 2 2 0 6 3 3 EQUIPMENT OPERATION Boating While Intoxicated 7 7 0 13 Reckless/Unsafe Operation 3 3 0 7 5 2 3 3 0 2 2 0 4 3 16 14 2 5 4 1 Skiing/Towing Violations 15 13 2 7 No Boater Safety Certificate 18 0 18 31 3 28 18 0 18 24 0 24 PWC After Hours 1 0 1 3 0 3 4 0 4 8 0 8 3 0 8 3 4 Other Operation Violations 7 7 0 14 13 1 3 OTHER Water Quality, Littering, etc 3 3 0 3 2 0 5 4 0 1 1 0 Fishing, State Lands, etc 11 10 0 12 8 0 11 5 0 18 10 0 4 0 0 0 0 Underage Alcohol 0 0 0 17 8 0 4 Disorderly Conduct, Assault, etc 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 8 0 2 1 1 109 42 171 100 62 All Others 1 1 0 7 7 0 8 TOTALS 141 96 41 189 125 48 158 7 Civil Enforcement Program The Commission’s improved oversight of permits as they are issued and compliance checks when projects are completed helps prevent long term violations. In 2018 there have been 80 new enforcement cases Invasive Species The Marine Patrol is actively engaged in the education of the boating public and enforcement of existing invasive species regulations. The marine patrol assisted at inspection stations as well as patrolling the unattended launches around the lake. The patrol’s goal was to help educate the public about the inspection program as well as ensure that all vessels were properly inspected prior to launching into the waters of Lake George. 9 III. Education New York State Safe Boating Course Instruction In 2018 the Marine Patrol taught classes at the Great Upstate Boat Show, The Lake George Association and the Bolton Firehouse. A total of 31 students successfully completed the class. The Commission has 5 officers who are certified NYS Safe Boating Instructors. Lt. Johns and Officer Marino show Campers from Adirondack Camp in Putnam the patrol boat and speak about boater safety Recovered Property The Marine Patrol recovered lost and or stolen property valued at more than $39,220 during the 2018 season. Every year an assortment of missing vessels, canoes, and PWCs are routinely located by the patrol. In addition, a wide variety of smaller items such as knee boards, water skis, lifejackets, and tubes are recovered by the patrol. Any lake user who loses an item on or around the lake should check with the Patrol to see if the item has been found or turned in. At the end of each season, all recovered property is turned over to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. 10 IV. Bi-Annual Boat Count The Bi-Annual Boat Count was conducted in 2017 and will be conducted again in 2019. V. Real Stories from the Marine Patrol Unusual Incidents, Accidents and Rescues Drowning: This boating season started off tragically with a call at 11:01 am on May 25th for reported drowning. MPO Mitchell, Sgt. Paccione and Lt. Johns responded to the scene in the southern part of the lake to find that a male and female were kayaking when both kayaks turned over in the rough water. The 24yo male victim did have a PFD onboard with him but was not wearing it. After he overturned, he was not able to get to the PFD. His girlfriend attempted to throw him her PFD but with the wind, she was not able to get it to him. She lost sight of the victim as she swam to shore. At 11:51 am, divers from North Queensbury and Lake George Fire Departments recovered the victim’s body. Also assisting on scene were Warren County Sheriff’s Department and DEC. The Patrol recommends everyone wear their PFD especially in the early and late season when the water is cold. Late Night Accident: On July 6th at 10:30 pm, Lt. Johns and MPO Sutphen were called back into work for a reported boating accident with injuries and possible people in the water near Rock Brother’s Island in Putnam. Upon arrival, officers found a 20 year old female, the lone occupant of the boat, with her face covered in blood being treated by Hague EMS aboard the Hague Fire Boat. Officers questioned the woman and found she was on her way to visit friends in the Putnam area and was using a spotlight to find the island she knew was in the area. She stated she found the island but forgot about the smaller rock island right next to the larger one. She struck that island full speed. Injuries included a bloody nose and cuts and bruises. She was treated at the scene and released to her parents. There was extensive ice damage in early 2018. This boathouse was hit by ice and collapsed as a result. 11 Near Drowning: On Sunday July 15th at 5:36pm Warren County Dispatch called for patrol boats to respond to Boon Bay for a swimmer in distress. Upon arrival, MPO Knoop and Sgt. Paccione found the victim, a 78 year old male, on the dock after being pulled in by several witnesses. Officers took over and performed CPR on the victim who had been face down in the water for about 5 minutes. By the time Bolton EMS Arrived, the victim had a weak pulse and was breathing. MPO St. John and Warren County Officers Mazzacano and Campano also assisted with the investigation at the scene. It was learned that the victim had swam out into the bay to retrieve a swim noodle that had blown away. For an unknown reason he went face down in the water. He was seen by swimmers at a nearby resort who swam to him while the resort owner brought his boat to assist in pulling him from the water. If not for the quick actions of the bystanders and officers, this individual would surely have died. This pontoon boat was stopped for being overloaded. Officers unloaded summer camp kids off the boat onto patrol boats and transported them all back to shore moments before a heavy thunderstorm hit the area. Another Close Call: On Friday July 20th, MPO VanAnden was escorting two paddle boarders to shore for not having PFDs when he heard a woman screaming frantically for help located off West Brook in Lake George. Immediately he proceeded to the location out in the lake from the steamboat wharf. A mother and her child had swum out from Dog Beach with the aid of a plastic tube without PFDs. They had tipped over and the tube was blown away by the wind. The mother was trying to keep the daughter afloat but was tiring and losing the battle to keep them up. MPO VanAnden positioned his patrol boat as close as possible and reached them holding one in each arm calming them down and letting them rest. He gave the mother a line from the boat as she was crying and screaming that they were both going to die, MPO VanAnden assured them that they would be alright and lifted the young girl into the patrol boat. Then he safely brought the mother aboard. The mother and 7 year old daughter, from Montreal, were transported to the State Boat Launch and released. MPO VanAnden being alert and in the right place at the right time likely saved two lives. 12 Personal Injury Boating Accident: On Friday July 27th at 5:45pm, MPO Andersen and MPO Marino responded to a boating accident in Forest Bay in Hague. Officers found a 14year old male with a deep prop cut to his leg. Officers assisted in loading the victim into an ambulance. The investigation found that a 13yo male was operating the boat and made a sharp turn causing the 14yo to be thrown from the rear of the boat. The prop caught the 14yo’s leg causing a deep gash. EMS attempted to get a helicopter to transport the victim to Albany Medical Center but the helicopter was unable to fly due to the weather. The victim was transported by ambulance to Albany and underwent surgery to the leg, muscle and tendon. Intoxicated Swimmer: On Monday August 13th at 5:10pm, MPOs Mazzacano and Knoop were called to check on the welfare of a swimmer in Warner Bay. When they arrived, they found a female in the middle of the bay without a PFD. When speaking to the female, officers determined that she was heavily intoxicated. It appears she became angry and was going to swim to Diamond Point to her friend’s house. She refused all requests to come out of the water and refused a ride to her friend’s house. MPO Mazzacano was able to call her friend who helped convince the intoxicated swimmer to get on the patrol boat. The friend then drove to a dock in the area and the swimmer was turned over to her. Overloaded Boat: At 12:20pm on Wednesday August 15th, MPO Kneeshaw responded to a call for a swamped boat near Montcalm Point. Upon Arrival, Kneeshaw found a male and female, who were heading to an island to go camping, in the water without life jackets. MPO Kneeshaw assisted getting the victims and as much of their floating equipment in the patrol boat before the 12’ metal boat they were in sunk. Kneeshaw turned over the female victim to Bolton EMS who treated her for hyperventilation and shock from nearly drowning. Lost Hiker: At 1:45pm on August 17th, Marine Patrol Officers from the LGPC, WCSO and NYSP were dispatched to Black Mountain Point for a report of a lost 5yo female on Black Mountain. LGPC Officers Mitchell, Knoop, and Marino along with Trooper Fregoe and Warren County Officers Webster and Kober responded to the scene and spread out over the mountain looking for the girl as Forest Rangers deployed from a helicopter. A NYSP Bloodhound was brought to the scene to assist in tracking the little girl before rain and darkness set in. 13 At approximately 4:00pm Officers Kober, Knoop and Fregoe found the girl near the bottom of the mountain. Other than a few bumps and bruises, the little girl was happy and healthy. Officers gave her some fruit and drinks from their lunches while they waited for the family to come down the mountain and get the girl. Collapsed Kayaker: On August 21st at about 3:20pm, Officer Kneeshaw was dispatched to a report of a collapsed kayaker on Huddle Beach with CPR being performed. Upon arrival, Kneeshaw found that the kayaker had overexerted himself on a hot day and had merely fainted and CPR was not being performed. The patient was turned over to Bolton EMS and transported to Glens Falls Hospital for tests and observation. Kneeshaw along with MPO VanAnden and Lt. Johns located the victim’s car and secured his kayak on it. Officers were then able to locate the victim’s family in Massachusetts and notify them that their family member was in the hospital. Boat Fire: On Friday August 24th at 2:33pm, a report of a boat fire was received on the east side of Diamond Island. MPOs Mitchell and VanAnden along with NYSP Officer Cody responded and found a fully involved boat fire. At the start of the fire, all six occupants jumped in the water and were assisted by other boaters in the area. Officers assisted by keeping a large number of spectators away from the area while Lake George and North Queensbury Fire Departments put out the fire. The boat ultimately sunk in 90ft of water and had to be removed by divers and airbags the next day. Fully involved boat fire near Diamond Island 14 Boating Accident: While several officers were tied up with the boat fire in the southern end of the lake, MPO Sutphen was dispatched to a boating accident in the Narrows. The operator was headed in a southerly direction when the operator lost control of the vessel and struck the shoreline. The operator had borrowed the boat and had very little boating experience. One of his passengers suffered a possible broken foot but no one else was injured. This boat hit the shoreline so hard it broke the interior away from the hull! Violent Physical Domestic: Early in the morning on Labor Day, September 3rd, Lt. Johns was called to see if officers could respond to Long Island for a reported male/ female physical domestic where the male was choking the female. Lt. Johns and Sgt. Paccione responded and were on scene at 1:17am. Upon arrival, officers found that the aggressor and victim were separated by the people from a neighboring campsite. Sgt. Paccione interviewed the victim and Lt. Johns interviewed the aggressor. It turns out that the husband did not really want to go camping and the wife did. Being that they were from the New York City area, they had not camped before. Things were not going as planned. There was no evidence that the domestic was any more than verbal and the victim refused to give a statement saying it was physical. Both the husband and wife were taken to shore in different patrol boats where a Domestic Incident form was completed and each was sent to a different hotel for the night. Late Season Injured Hiker: On October 21st at about 2pm Sgt. Ross was dispatched to a report of an injured hiker along the shore in Northwest Bay. Upon arrival he found a male with an injured knee who didn’t think he could make it back out to the trailhead on Tongue Mountain. Sgt. Ross directed the individual to a nearby dock and transported him to Green Island and then used the patrol’s vehicle to bring him to the Northwest Bay Brook trailhead to meet his party. 15 Boating While Intoxicated In 2018, the patrol continued to focus on removing intoxicated operators from the lake. This section will give a brief description of the 11 BWI arrests on Lake George in 2018. Saturday June 30th Sawmill Bay: On Saturday June 30th, Officers from The LGPC, WCSO, DEC and Washington County Sheriff’s Department conducted a BWI checkpoint in Sawmill Bay as part of a Nationwide effort to remove intoxicated operators from all waterways. At 7:02pm, MPO Dunn and Kneeshaw stopped a vessel entering the bay. While Kneeshaw was working with a passenger to check safety equipment on the vessel, MPO Dunn spoke to the operator. Dunn noticed the operator’s eyes were red and he could smell an alcoholic beverage on him. After conducting field sobriety tests on the operator, which he failed, Dunn arrested him for Boating While Intoxicated. His BAC level was 0.16%, twice the legal limit. Wednesday July 4th: At about 5:30pm MPO Kneeshaw was dispatched to Huletts Landing for a report of 2 boats being driven erratically. MPO Kneeshaw and MPO Marino as well as Sgt. Paccione checked the area. MPO Marino spotted a vessel near Sabbath Day Point matching the description and conducted a vessel stop. He called for assistance from MPO Kneeshaw who arrived and tested the operator to see if he was intoxicated. After conducting field sobriety tests, the operator was arrested for Boating While Intoxicated. His BAC Level was 0.09%. Wednesday July 4th: Also on July 4th, NYSP stopped a vessel after the fireworks in Lake George Village. The operator of that vessel was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested by the Troopers and charged with BWI. The Patrol often calls on the local fire departments to assist in both putting out fires on land and boats and to assist in medical emergencies. Saturday July 14th: On Saturday July 14th Officer Webster from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and MPO Sutphen stopped a vessel near Black Mountain Point for bow riding. The operator had been drinking and Officer Webster arrested him for Boating While Intoxicated. Saturday July 21st: On Saturday July 21st, MPO VanAnden stopped a vessel near Long Island. Upon inspecting the vessel he noticed alcohol in it. The operator had red eyes and was acting 16 suspicious. After administering field sobriety tests which the operator failed, MPO VanAnden administered an alcohol prescreening device. The operator passed this test. MPO VanAnden knew that the operator was impaired and now suspected drugs. He called for assistance from WCSO Webster and MPO Sutphen. After being questioned by the three officers, the operator admitted he had smoked marijuana and turned over the small amount he had left to officers. He was ticketed for possession of marijuana by MPO Sutphen and BWAI drugs by Officer Webster. He was transported to the WCSO for testing by a drug recognition expert and then to Glens Falls Hospital for a blood test. The blood test later came back positive for marijuana. All three officers did a great job in what may be the first BWAI drug arrest on Lake George. A boat that was found in the Hague area after a very windy weekend in early October. Friday July 27th: On Friday July 27th around 5:30pm, officers were called about a boat being operated erratically in the Hague area. Upon stopping the vessel, officers noticed the operator’s eyes were red and he smelled of alcohol. MPO Sutphen assisted by WCSO Webster conducted field sobriety tests on the operator and arrested him for Boating While Ability Impaired after it was found he had a BAC level of 0.07%. Saturday July 28th: While on patrol near Shelving Rock Bay, Sgt. Paccione and Lt. Johns observed a pontoon boat leaving the bay without displaying a valid Lake George Park Commission user fee sticker. The Officers stopped the vessel and while talking to the operator about the missing user fee sticker, they noticed an open beer and could smell alcohol on his breath. Sgt. Paccione conducted field sobriety tests on the operator which he failed. He was subsequently arrested for Boating While Intoxicated after it was found he had a BAC level of 0.15%. 17 Also in August: Officer Webster and MPO Sutphen stopped a vessel after observing a passanger urinate over the side. Officer Webster arrested that operator for Boating While Intoxicated. Friday August 10th Sabbath Day Point: At around 10:00 pm MPO Sutphen was patrolling north to Ticonderoga when he came across a boat without bow lights. MPO Sutphen stopped the vessel and found that the operator had been drinking. He performed field sobriety tests on the operator which he failed. Sutphen placed the operator under arrest for BWI and called for the assistance of MPO Andersen and WCSO Webster. Because the operator was alone in the boat, Sutphen needed assistance getting that vessel to shore while having an individual in custody. After the boat was secured by MPO Andersen, Sutphen and Webster transported the operator to the Sheriff’s Department for processing. While enroute to the Sheriff’s Department, the officers came up on a car that was all over the road. Officer Webster pulled the vehicle over thinking he may just have a DWI to go along with Sutphen’s BWI. During the stop, both officers approached the car on opposite sides. Officers immediately noticed there was a handgun in the car. After the driver was ordered to keep his hands on the steering wheel, officers determined that the driver had a permit to have the gun. He was tested and found not to be intoxicated and finally admitted to texting while he was driving. By the time the officers arrived at the Sheriff’s department, the operator of the boat had sobered up enough to only be charged with Boating While Ability Impaired by alcohol. High and Dry! These five occupants and five dogs were left stranded after hitting rocks near Diamond Island. Patrol transported the people and dogs to Ticonderoga as it was getting dark and a tow couldn’t be arranged until morning. Sunday September 2nd: While patrolling in the Bolton area on September 2nd, MPO Sutphen observed a pontoon boat heading south with 2 people sitting on the bow with their feet over the edge. Bow riding in New York is illegal and considered reckless operation. MPO Sutphen stopped the vessel and while speaking to the operator he noticed that she appeared to have been drinking. He conducted field sobriety tests which she failed. She was arrested for BWI and 18 found to have a BAC level of 0.16%. Sunday September 2nd Bolton Bay: Each year on the Sunday before Labor Day, Bolton has a fireworks show. The Patrol keeps 3 Patrols out to make sure everyone is safe and has their lights on. This year after the show the Patrol stopped several boats for not having lights on. Sgt. Paccione and WCSO Webster stopped one boat for not having a stern light on. While speaking to the operator, Sgt. Paccione noticed the operator had been drinking. He conducted field sobriety tests and after failing them the operator was arrested for Boating While Intoxicated. His BAC level was 0.12%. With 11 BWIs on Lake George this year, Law Enforcement kept the message out there that operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs is dangerous and will not be tolerated. This group filed a float plan with the Marine Patrol before their journey from Roger’s Rock to Bolton. The Patrol checked on them several times during the day. These are just a few of the stories from the patrol during the 2018 season. Due to the ever changing conditions and job responsibilities, the patrol members must be prepared for whatever comes their way. 19 VI. Patrol Awards Life Saving Award Presented to Sergeant Paccione and Officer Knoop On July 15, 2018 at approximately 5:30p.m. Sgt. Paccione and MPO Knoop responded to Boon Bay for a reported swimmer in distress. Upon arrival Sgt. Paccione and MPO Knoop found the victim, who had been face down in the water for three to five minutes, on the dock after being pulled from the water by guests and staff at the resort. After finding no pulse, Sgt. Paccione and MPO Knoop started CPR. The Officers switched back and forth while Bolton EMS responded to the scene. Upon the arrival of Bolton EMS, the 78 year old victim had a pulse and was breathing. If not for Sgt. Paccione and MPO Knoops’s quick and decisive actions throughout the entire incident, the victim would surely have died. The victim spent an extended period in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility and is now at home with his family. This type of incidence shows the importance of having a well-staffed and well qualified patrol on the lake. Commissioner Parker pinned the Life-Saving Medal on Sgt. Paccione and Officer Knoop during the July Commission meeting in Ticonderoga. 20 New York State Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award Presented to MPO Sutphen A second award was presented at the July Commission meeting in Ticonderoga. Marine Patrol Officer Bob Sutphen was presented with the New York State Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award. Officer Sutphen was nominated for the award for his efforts to keep Lake George safe. During the 2017 boating season, Officer Sutphen made eight boating while intoxicated arrests. One of the arrests resulted in taking a large number of underage individuals off the water before something happened. On August 11, 2017 at about 10:15 pm, Officer Sutphen, alone on his patrol boat, was proceeding north in the Hague area when he noticed someone shining a spotlight at him. When he stopped the vessels, 3 of them, he found 15 individuals under the age of 21. Officer Sutphen noticed a large amount of alcohol on these boats and ultimately seized 78 full beers and 2 bottles of liquor from the underage occupants. One vessel attempted to leave several times. That operator ended up being arrested for boating while intoxicated. Had it not been for Officer Sutphen’s actions, these 15 teens would have consumed nearly 80 beers and 2 bottles of liquor and operated the 3 vessels on the water creating a great risk of injury or death to them or anyone else they may have encountered. As a result of Officer Sutphen’s actions, the outcome was much different. One individual was arrested for BWI while all of the other teens were brought safely to shore and turned over to their parents who were contacted by the patrol. As a result of Officer Sutphen’s actions on this stop and his other seven BWI Arrests, he was selected as the recipient of this year’s award above the other officers throughout the state that were nominated. Officer Sutphen is presented the New York State Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award by Richard Stefanski from the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 21 VII. Acknowledgements The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has always provided the Marine Patrol with valuable training opportunities in addition to equipment and cost reimbursement through federal boater safety programs. The Village of Lake George continues to support the Patrol with donations, and the Town of Lake George donated a dock for Patrol use during the 2018 season. The Warren County Sheriff Deputies and New York State Troopers work closely with the Marine Patrol all summer and provide critical support. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Law Enforcement assists in providing support for special details and larger events such as Log Bay Day. NYS Park Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with BWI checkpoints on Log Bay Day The Department of Environmental Conservation's staff at the Green Island Maintenance Facility does an excellent job servicing and maintaining all the Marine Patrol vessels every year. Enough can’t be said about the professionalism and dedication of Lake George Park Commission’s Marine Patrol Officers. The Marine Patrol has been charged with a great responsibility. They provide assistance, education and quality enforcement to all of the lake’s visitors. This is a responsibility that these exceptional men take very seriously, and it shows. Year after year, positive comments regarding the Marine Patrol are both common and well deserved. They are the most visible ambassadors of the Lake George Park Commission and are directly responsible for the continued success of the Marine Patrol program. MPO Andersen issues a ticket in the Shelving Rock Bay area. 22 2018 Patrol Roster Returning this year were: Lieutenant Joe Johns (18th year) Sergeant Angelo Paccione (11th year) Sergeant Shane Ross (7th year) MPO Scott Andersen (26th year) MPO Bob Sutphen (15th year) MPO Ray VanAnden (13th year) MPO Glen Mitchell (11th year) MPO Gregg Dunn (11th year) MPO Skip Kneeshaw (7th Year) MPO Bill St. John (3rd Year) MPO Keith Knoop (2nd Year) MPO Logan Marino (2nd Year) In 2018 we welcomed one new member to the patrol: MPO Gary Mazzacano 23 Lake George Park Commission 75 Fort George Road, PO Box 749 Lake George, New York 12845 Phone: 518-668-9347 Fax: 518-668-5001 www.lgpc.state.ny.us TO CONTACT THE MARINE PATROL EMERGENCIES MARINE RADIO CHANNEL 16 Request “Marine Patrol” LG MARINE PATROL DISPATCH (Warren County Sheriff’s Department) 518-743-2500 or 911 NON EMERGENCIES LG MARINE PATROL HEADQUARTERS (Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm) 518-668-9347 OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS TO REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES 800-TIPP DEC LAKE GEORGE CAMPGROUND INFORMATION 800-456-CAMP NYSDEC – Warrensburg Office 518-623-1200 Marine Patrol statistics have been accumulated and categorized to provide a snapshot of the activities going on around Lake George. They provide crucial data on areas of special concern and help determine future patrol needs. 24